Meet Those Behind The Line

Johnny ColeWriter | Travelin’ Man

Johnny Cole has spent a huge part of his life pursuing his dream of searching for great music. Since his first concert on Jan. 20, 1973, in Mobile, Alabama to see Elvis Presley, he knew music would become a major part of his life. During the 1980s-90′s, he lived in New York City and Washington, DC (area), but has since returned home to his Southern Roots (Johnny was born in Gulfport, MS).

Beginning in the 1980’s, he was part of the now closed “Underground Music Press” and a number of other music-themed outlets. He also developed and co-managed the one-time largest and busiest MSN Web Entertainment Group, which held that position for 3 1/2 years in the early 2000’s. In the fall of 2013, he launched The Southland Music Line with photographer Stephen Anderson and artist Robby Amonett, which has continued his search for new and exciting music. Johnny has traveled thousands of miles visiting countless music venues in cities across North America (Austin, Nashville, Atlanta/Athens, New Orleans, Memphis, Cleveland, SF Bay Area, L.A., New York City, Washington, DC, Quebec City, Canada and more) and the world. In 2017, he traveled to Australia/New Zealand for the Bruce Springsteen & E Street Band Tour, covered multiple shows by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, U2, Roger Waters and more. Because of his love of music, he yearly attends more than 300 shows and lives to tell about it.

Johnny has written articles about the infamous New York City club CBGB and Maxwell’s in Hoboken, NJ; the bands Lone Justice, The Replacements and the film “Almost Famous” (click here for a list of articles). He has a lasting love for the Athen’s Georgia Music Scene dating back to around 1981 with bands like REM, Pylon, Love Tractor, Flat Duo Jets and more. Also his love for Asbury Park, NJ and the music of Bruce Springsteen has been a major part of his life since the 1970s.

Johnny began hosting the TV show “Music Scene” in the spring of 2016 – A celebration of the Gulf Coast music scene.

He and his wife of 28 years presently call the Mississippi Gulf Coast their home.

Click Herefor the articles that have appeared at The Southland Music Line.Click Here for a list of some of the articles, album reviews and more written or contributed by Johnny Cole.Click Here for his yearly Best Album List(s) from 1979 to the present. (coming soon)Click Here for his All-Time Favorites. (coming soon)

Robby Amonetthas been featured in magazines, newspapers and articles in both print and online. His story has been told in great detail by many, and it is truly one worthy of knowing. His interesting past to his present work as an artist is a story one never tires of hearing. Robby paints countless numbers of bands and artists across the region and does so in real time as they perform. He has painted such bands and artists as: Alabama Shakes, Willie Sugarcapps, Rosco Bandana, Wet Willie, Soul Asylum, Hurray for The Riff Raff, Shovels & Rope, The Mulligan Brothers and many more. The Southland Music Line wanted Robby to be a part of this site because, first of all he’s one of the nicest guys around, and secondly, because of his incredible talent. His passion and love for music, friends and, of course, art makes him a favorite to many. His work will be displayed here in coming months and will also be available for purchase. So often fans come to the shows and want a painting of his, but are not able to get one on that given night; well now they will be able to purchase his art whenever the time is right for them. More details are coming soon.

MCE Photography| Chad EdwardsMusicians looking down from stages along the Gulf Coast may see a familiar and friendly face – partially blocked by a Nikon camera that may have seen as much action as they have.

Stephen C. Anderson (known as “Andy” to his many friends) has for years used his exceptional eye and and a variety of lenses to document the many inspiring musical moments that happen from the Gulf Coast and the Region.

With a gentle smile and a respectful nod, he dips his eye behind his viewfinder, night after night. His ears catch every note, his hips every beat, while his eye searches for that special, elusive moment. A split-second, he says, can live forever, either in the memory or in a photograph.

“I feel I’m like I’m capturing a moment that can never be captured again,” Anderson said. “In a live performance, things happen that you can never expect.”

Anderson, a California transplant who landed in Pascagoula, MS in his teen years in the 1960s, has continually documented the musical heritage while honing his own craft.

Always artistic by nature, Anderson first became interested in photography when he saw the stunning landscapes of the legendary Ansel Adams and the gritty street documentaries of Henri Carter Bresson. He studied Radio, TV and Film at the University of Southern Mississippi (while earning a degree in Speech Education) and at the Artography Academy in North Hollywood, Calif.

His favorite photographers include Jim Marshall, Baron Wolman and Robert Knight. Another influence was fashion photographer Alfredo Demollie, who became a close friend and mentor.

Over the years he has been up close to photograph such musical greats as The Police, Johnny Cash, Boz Scaggs, Crosby, Stills and Nash, the (original) Allman Brothers Band, Dr. John, Jimmy Buffet, James McMurtry, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Marty Stuart. These days, he seems to derive at least as much passion and pleasure photographing regional sensations like Grayson Capps, Sugarcane Jane, Fat Man Squeeze and Rosco Bandana.

Though he’s paid his share of cover charges and ticket prices over the years – and enjoyed the perks of the laminated passes that vaunted shooters such as he often enjoy – Anderson says he’s thankful that many venues along the Gulf Coast continue to offer free live music.